• Sterling Voice™ • What is VoIP? • Why Sterling Voice? • Powerful Features • Schedule a Demo NOW • Sterling Access™ • High-Speed Filtered Access • Firewall Protection • Sterling Data Center™ • Co-Location • Web-Hosting • Email Services • Sign Up NOW!

Internet Access

All Internet access provided by Sterling is content filtered, meaning that we block access to WWW sites that contain questionable material or pornographic content. Please review our filter philosophy for full details. The End User Agreement is also available online.

There are approximately 500 new pornographic sites added to the Internet every day. Sterling's unique filtering system runs continuous searches on the internet, looking for sites that are related to pornography and other adult topics. These search results are then mechanically cross-checked against the existing database and any new sites are flagged for human-review. Each site on the list is then reviewed and properly categorized as to its content type. This way, we can ensure that sites concerning breast cancer are not blocked, and that the other adult related sites are indeed blocked.

Sterling's service employs a full-time staff to compile its extensive, categorized database of Web content. While others rely solely on technology to detect and harvest Web content, Sterling engages a proprietary process with a unique combination of smart technology and human review. This two-step process reduces errors associated with mere "keyword blocking." Effective human review - like the processes employed by Sterling - is the only way to ensure accurate categorization of Web content.

An April 2002 study by the U.S. Government (Department of Justice) and eTesting Labs confirms what thousands of Sterling customers have known all along. Sterling delivers the highest quality filtering available. With a "Correct Blocking Ratio" of 98%, the effectiveness of Sterling filtering list eclipses all other major Internet filtering providers.

Services Include

• Standard Dialup Access (56K modem and ISDN)
• Nationwide Dialup Access (56K modem)
• High-speed DSL, ADSL and SDSL
• Frame Relay (fractional and full T1)
• Point-to-Point T1 and MetroLAN's (1.544mbps)

Standard Dialup Access (56K modem and ISDN)

Dialup internet access has been around for years. While it's not the fastest game in town, it is dependable and reliable and for some outlying areas, it is the only option. Our dialup access is serviced by digital PRI's, using a clean connection and with modem:user ratios of 4:1, we guarantee that you'll never experience a busy signal. Our systems support modem speeds up to 56kbps. Standard dialup accounts do include POP3 email service (i.e. email@sterling.net). Prices start at just $21.95/mth. Signup now link

Nationwide Toll Service

All Standard Dialup Access accounts can access our national 800 number 1-87-STERLINK (877-837-5465). This is useful if you travel occasionally, and don't want to bother looking up local numbers in each city you travel to. Calls to our 800 access number are billed at 0.10/minute, just like a long-distance telephone call. If you use the Sterling 800 dialup access number, your account will be billed 0.10/min ($6/hr) for each minute you are connected. This invoice will come from Sterling on your next monthly bill. (see also, "nationwide dialup accounts" below).

ISDN

An Integrated Serviced Digital Network allows you to send digital information at speeds of 128Kb over the normal telephone network. Just like a standard dialup modem, you dial the number of the ISP, but it establishes a digital connection. In contrast to standard dialup, ISDN takes only a few milliseconds to make the connection, and it runs at 128Kbps instead of 56kbps. ISDN connections do require a special Digital phone line and a special modem. These are readily available in both Qwest and Verizon territories and Sterling is very proficient at setting them up. Give us a call and we can run you through the details.

NOTE: Standard dialup accounts at Sterling are "unmetered" meaning that your usage is not limited to a certain number of online hours per month. However, we reserve the right to adjust the billing on accounts that start to exhibit behavior patterns such that they begin to look like dedicated connections or have online behavior beyond what is reasonable.

Nationwide Dialup Access (56K modem)

All the same features of a standard dialup account, with local access numbers available in all major US cities. Our systems support modem speeds up to 56kbps. Standard dialup accounts do include POP3 email service (i.e. email@sterling.net ). Prices start at just $24.95/mth. Signup now link

High-speed DSL, ADSL and SDSL

Sterling offers high-speed DSL services in both Verizon and Qwest territories. Speeds are dependant on location, but range from 256kbps to a full 1.544Mbps. All DSL connections with Sterling include a static IP address.

The DSL setup process can be quite complicated. With line pre-qualifications, modem configurations and telco scheduling being what they are, one of the most appreciated services Sterling provides is our turn-key operation. We'll handle all the legwork with getting your DSL connection setup, including the many phone calls and technical conversations with the telco's. We simply call you when things are all finished.

Note: Sterling offers full firewall services for our residential and commercial DSL clients, see Firewall Service.

Frame Relay (fractional and full T1)

For the demands of the larger organizations, Sterling offers dedicated, high-speed connections using frame-relay technology. For those clients that require 24x7 connection, with lots of bandwidth, Frame-relay may just be the ticket. Having been around for many years, frame-relay has become the backbone of the business world.

Connection speeds range from 128kbps to 1.544mbps, and the reliability is top-notch. Frame relay service tickets carry a top priority with the telco's, so any outages are repaired very quickly. Sterling has a footprint in both Qwest and Verizon territories which provides a huge cost savings for companies that are regionally diverse. We pay the NNI, so you don't have to.

Contact our sales staff for a custom quote.

Point-to-Point T1 and MetroLAN's (1.544mbps)

The fastest, most reliable Internet connection we offer, Sterling's MetroLAN product just plain rocks. Able to handle the demands of the largest organizations, these dedicated, point-to-point connections interconnect the customer location to our data-center. From that point its unbridled DS-3 access to the Internet. For those clients that require robust, 24x7 connections with lots of bandwidth, MetroLAN's might just be the ticket.

Connection speeds start at a very cost-effective 768kbps and run as fast as 1.544mbps. Reliability is unbeatable and these connections are all monitored 24x7 by Sterling staff. This service is available in both Qwest and Verizon territories.

Contact our sales staff for a custom quote.